WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 2 Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights

Night 2 of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas presented championship action and climactic battles between the present and future stars of WWE.

CM Punk and Roman Reigns headlined for the World Heavyweight Championship, while Jade Cargill defended the WWE Women's Championship against Rhea Ripley.

Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi battled in a heavyweight collision for dominance, and Sami Zayn hoped to fend off rising star Trick Williams for the United States Championship.

Following a mixed Night 1, could WWE turn around the narrative with an impactful Night 2 of The Show of Shows?

Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi

Last Time in Action: Oba Femi defeated Rusev (Raw, March 9); Brock Lesnar lost in the Royal Rumble match, won by Roman Reigns (Royal Rumble, January 31).

John Cena opened Night 2 as the stage graphics changed from the dystopian look of Night 1 to a blue cyberpunk-esque aesthetic.

Oba Femi broke Brock Lesnar's confidence early by knocking him down and then out of the ring, causing The Beast Incarnate to lift the steel steps before Paul Heyman calmed him.

Femi met Lesnar outside, where The Beast Incarnate threw him into the steps and began to send The Ruler to Suplex City.

He hit an F5, but Oba stood right back up. A chokeslam and Fall From Grace sealed the win for The Ruler in a shockingly quick decision.

Afterward, a shocked Femi headed up the ramp while Lesnar left his gloves and boots in the ring, indicating this was the end of his in-ring career.

This was perfect for Femi. He emphatically showcased that he is the next big monster in WWE, and Lesnar made him look completely unstoppable.

A win like this is what 'Mania is made for. The Ruler walks out as a bigger star than he already was, and he was already the clearest rising star in the business.

The match itself was simple, which was the best thing possible from Lesnar at this stage. He did not need to do anything more. Femi will have more competitive matches on his way to the world title.

Lesnar seemingly retiring here was a great send-off. While there is still speculation abound that he will be retired by Gunther at SummerSlam, there is no point to prolonging it.

The Ring General does not need the rub. Femi deserves that spotlight more as the man who ended The Beast Incarnate's career.

Let this hold, and push Femi straight into the world title scene. He should be the world heavyweight champion in 2026, and it should be a lengthy reign.

Result

Femi def. Lesnar by pinfall.

Grade

A+

Notable Moments and Observations

The crowd chanting "Oba" was louder than any reaction from Night 1.

WWE showed the Tale of the Tape for these two before their match, and Femi slightly outmatched Lesnar in most stats.

Heyman took over introduction duties for The Beast Incarnate.

It was odd to see genuine emotion about Lesnar's retirement, given that he has long sold fans on the idea that he does not care about wrestling.

Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match

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Dragon Lee flew in this ladder match despite entering off screen during the commercial break.

Last Time in Action: Dragon Lee and Je'Von Evans defeated Rusev and JD McDonagh (Raw, April 13). Penta, Dragon and Evans defeated Los Americanos (Raw, April 6). Rey Mysterio lost in the Royal Rumble (Royal Rumble, January 31).

The chaos started early in this fight, with wild, athletic back-and-forth. The first true climb between Evans and McDonagh ended with a springboard clothesline from The Young OG.

As the action continued, Penta threw Rey over the rope onto Rusev, who broke through a ladder at ringside.

Dragon took down The Master of the 619 and planted him with a Styles Clash. Penta sent McDonagh onto a bridged ladder with a Mexican Destroyer.

The Young OG was the last man standing until Rusev returned to rip the ladder away from him. Evans responded with an OG Cutter to The Redeemer.

Penta laid out The Young OG with a Mexican Destroyer and made it to the top of the ladder to win.

Ladder matches are purely spot fests, especially with this many people involved, and fans have seen it all before.

However, good pacing and a lineup of talent willing to take some rough bumps is enough to deliver a spectacle. This was about as good as it could be.

Penta needed to win as he had not had enough time as the Intercontinental Champion yet. Evans was the star of the match, but Penta was not far behind.

Evans took some heavy bumps in this one, flying around throughout this contest only to crash and burn. His OG Cutter on Rusev will be on highlight reels for the rest of his career.

Dragon was the other major standout in this contest, especially his sequences with Rey, and WWE needs to find a strong spot for him post-'Mania.

From here, any of these stars could continue to feud with Penta for the Intercontinental Championship, but the biggest rivalry WWE should immediately highlight is Evans vs. Rusev.

Result

Penta def. Evans, Rusev, McDonagh, Rey and Dragon to retain the Intercontinental Championship.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments and Observations

Rusev, Dragon, and JD were already in the ring back from commercial.

Rey Mysterio came out in Deadpool-inspired gear.

Penta could barely wear his large Shao Khan helmet with his Mortal Kombat-sponsored gear.

Michael Cole called out that this was the first time Rey and Dragon had fought, leading to an early, strong back-and-forth sequence. They fought often throughout this match.

As Rusev started his first climb, he got a solid "Rusev Day" chant despite not using that gimmick since his WWE return.

Rusev's head bumped hard off the rung of the ladder he broke through. He did return to the match, though.

Cole did a great job running down everyone's work in the match after the result, putting them over.

United States Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams (w/ Lil Yachty)

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With Lil Yachty firmly at his side, Trick Williams picked up his first WrestleMania win and main-roster gold.

Last Time in Action: Trick Williams defeated Matt Cardona (SmackDown, April 10); Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes to retain the United States Championship (SmackDown, April 3).

These two brawled from the bell, back and forth with their offense. When Zayn sent Trick to the apron, Lil Yachty tried to hype his man but got thrown into the barricade by Zayn.

Zayn laid out Trick with a Brainbuster on the apron and then hit him with a Helluva Kick over the barricade to nearly win by count-out.

Yachty bounced Zayn off the rope to set up a Trick Kick for a near-fall. Zayn responded with a corner Exploder, but Trick caught The Ultimate Underdog running with a Trick Shot for the victory.

This was tightly composed and put over Trick big. While it was shorter than it could have been, Zayn maximized the time to give Trick his best performance on the main roster.

Before the bell first rang, it was clear that this needed to be Trick's moment, and he can run with the United States Championship for a while.

WWE should lean babyface with him, though, as the crowd is too invested in him to boo him.

Zayn was set up as a transitional champion from the moment he dethroned Carmelo Hayes, so the result was no surprise. It was still the right move.

This should only further the now-former champion's descent into a dark place where he can redefine himself as a heel still in pursuit of the world championship.

Result

Trick def. Zayn by pinfall to become the new United States champion.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

The crowd was conflicted about Zayn, booing him but also singing along to his theme.

The crowd was not conflicted at all in cheering for Trick and pulling out the "Whoop That Trick" for the entire entrance.

Yachty introduced Trick (who came out after Zayn), who came out in a jacket that stretched all the way down the 'Mania ramp.

Street Fight: 'The Demon' Finn Bálor vs. Dominik Mysterio

Last Time in Action: Dominik Mysterio lost to Penta for the Intercontinental Championship (Raw, March 23); Finn Bálor lost to CM Punk (Elimination Chamber, February 28).

These two quickly leaned into the recently added Street Fight stipulation, bringing in steel chairs and kendo sticks.

Mysterio was shocked when Bálor kicked out of his Frog Splash immediately. Dirty Dom dodged a Coup De Grace and blasted The Demon with a steel chair for a two count.

A 619 on The Demon with a steel chair wrapped around his neck, followed by another Frog Splash, delivered the first true near-fall.

Bálor survived a series of steel chair shots and took down Mysterio with a Shotgun Dropkick with a steel chair wrapped around his neck. A Coup De Grace through the table sealed the Demon win.

This was a fun Street Fight, though it was not quite as physically brutal as Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu from Night 1, which was the only other true plunder match of the night.

Dominik and Bálor used similar weapons for similar moves throughout, leading to a contest that lacked variety but at least allowed The Demon to win for the first time in a long time.

The main roster has so completely neutered the concept of The Demon over the years, and this might be a good sign that Bálor can finally fully run with the gimmick.

The Demon should only come out in big, must-win matches. There is no reason he should put on the paint if he is losing decisively until Bálor starts to consider retirement.

While Mysterio is the younger star with more upside, he could not win here. These two will likely fight again, where Dirty Dom can get his win back, and he is still the AAA mega champion for the foreseeable future.

Result

Bálor def. Mysterio by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

Mysterio delivered one of the best entrances of the weekend, rolling in on a throne while flanked by a group of masked men with flags.

The Demon had a terrifying tron featuring a group of faceless people trying to escape and walked down to the ring with a spiked staff while covered in streamers.

Dirty Dom highlighted his terror of The Demon behind the announce table before the match could begin.

Dirty Dom's 619 on Bálor with a chair around his neck looked much better than Rey Mysterio's on Dragon Lee with a ladder around his neck earlier.

The Bálor Shotgun Dropkick on Dirty Dom with the chair around his neck looked the best of them all.

WWE Women's Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley

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Jade Cargill's first WWE Women's Championship reign ended at WrestleMania 42.

Last Time in Action: Jade Cargill defeated Iyo Sky (SmackDown, April 10); Rhea Ripley and Sky defeated Michin and B-Fab (Raw, April 6).

Cargill quickly tried to establish dominance with a bodyslam, and she used the ropes and outside area to continue to lay into Ripley.

The Eradicator laughed at Cargill's early offense and began her comeback. The Storm tried to overwhelm her with power, but Ripley continued to counter.

Michin arrived, followed by B-Fab, for a distraction and boot into the post. Cargill took advantage with her version of a One-Winged Angel for a near-fall.

Iyo Sky arrived to lay out both Michin and B-Fab with a Moonsault to the floor. After a final series of counters, Ripley caught Cargill with a Riptide for the victory.

If anyone was going to save the weekend for the women's division, it was going to be Ripley. She arrived with fire and gave Cargill easily her best match in WWE, possibly her entire career.

It was not even top-10 for Ripley's career, but that was mainly down to the interruption of the flow courtesy of interference eerily familiar to the Night 1 Women's World Championship match.

They got more time than any other women's match, but this could have used another five minutes to truly solidify Cargill in her biggest match to date.

It is never a bad idea to put a world title on Ripley, though it did not feel like Cargill ever truly got off the ground as WWE women's champion.

Hopefully, a reset and more competitive rivals can keep giving The Storm chances like this to deliver and prove her worth beyond her presentation.

Iyo Sky should move over to SmackDown with Ripley as soon as possible. The two are still better together, no matter who the world champion is.

Result

Ripley def. Cargill by pinfall to become the new WWE women's champion.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

It was a surprise to see Cargill come out first for this match. She also had the more showy attire, but the crowd was clearly more invested in Ripley.

Michael Cole explained the lore of Ripley's gear as she was "escaping an insane asylum" after The Storm drove her crazy.

Ripley came in with energy, jumping around and lip-syncing to her music and even Alicia Taylor's introduction.

The crowd came alive for Ripley's comeback and strike exchange with Cargill.

The Storm did not keep it PG with her pin attempt after a spinebuster, including multiple hip thrusts.

"I got the championship, and I got the girl," Ripley declared while celebrating with Sky.

Danhausen Steals the Spotlight from The Miz and John Cena

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Danhausen got his first WrestleMania spotlight.

John Cena announced the official attendance for Night 2 of WrestleMania 42: 55,255, nearly 5,000 more than Night 1.

The Miz and Kit Wilson interrupted Cena, only for Danhausen to arrive flanked by mini-Danhausens and driving down in the Danhausen-mobile.

Danhausen showed respect to Cena and took out both Miz and Kit before an unsuccessful attempt to casually disappear.

It is good for WWE that the attendance was up for Night 2 after all the attendance discourse, declaring an official number just under 5,000 under last year's Night 2.

Whether that is a real number will likely be scrutinized more than Night 1's number, but WWE comes out looking like they avoided much of the attendance discourse.

The follow-up was more embarrassing than anything else. While Danhausen has been funny in spots since his dud debut, this was even more awkward than that first WWE appearance.

In particular, no one needed to hear Michael Cole laughing and belittling the performers brought out for this segment, which had no real purpose.

Beyond that, the crowd did not react that well to Danhausen, who was the only one to get over in this segment.

WWE also missed a golden opportunity to play Kit's music throughout this.

Grade

Cena: C; Danhausen: F

Notable Moments and Observations

Cena held to his word probably more than anyone could have expected and did not even get physical in this segment.

It is a shame Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov, The Kabuki Warriors and more missed even a cameo spot at WrestleMania, but this got decent time.

World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns

Last Time in Action: CM Punk defeated Finn Bálor (Elimination Chamber, February 28); Roman Reigns won the men's Royal Rumble match (Royal Rumble, January 31).

Punk showed little respect for Reigns. While throwing hands in and out of the ring, these two talked trash.

The OTC wore down The Best in the World with hard-hitting offense and hit the first Superman Punch for a near-fall.

The fight intensified until Reigns blasted Punk with the steel steps, busting him open. The OTC followed up with a running Powerbomb through the announce table.

Punk caught Reigns on the return to the ring for a GTS and a crowd-energizing near-fall. When The Best in the World tried another, The OTC fought free for a Spear near-fall.

Reigns tried to hit Punk with a GTS, but Punk fought out and hit a Superman Punch for another near-fall.

Punk took an Ula Fala from a fan and went for a Spear, only to get caught in a Guillotine. Punk fought through into an Anaconda Vice, which Reigns turned right back into another Guillotine.

Punk fought free and began throwing hands with Reigns. The Best in the World threw his hand tape at The OTC, distracting the referee for a low blow and GTS, yet it still could not get the three-count.

After Punk sent Reigns through the announce table with an Elbow Drop, he tried to finish this with a GTS, only to collapse. Reigns hit a Spear and then followed up with a second Spear with a double-rope-rebound for the victory.

The ideal for a main event is to outshine everything else on the card, and Punk vs. Reigns lived up to that.

While the two had plenty more time than anything but Night 1's main event, they also made the most of the spotlight and build.

For all the words exchanged and hatred promised, they backed it up with action. This was as smooth and athletic as Punk has looked in WWE while still selling the violent damage in this match.

Reigns also looked great throughout, performing with the most physical edge he has had in years. These two laid into each other, especially down the stretch.

This was not just the best action of 'Mania. It was also one of the best 'Mania main events in WWE's long history, fully elevated by the in-ring work of two men at the top of their game.

Despite the bluster of both men, Punk and Reigns have not always delivered at this high a level. In fact, this may stand as the greatest match of both men's careers, not in terms of drama or story but pure in-ring action.

Reigns' win was not surprising, but it also felt appropriate by the end. The OTC was the younger, hungrier competitor in this moment. Punk was shown to be the lesser man on the biggest stage.

This sets the stage for Punk to question how much he has left while Reigns is back at the top of the mountain, seeking fresh challengers.

It will be up to WWE to find fresh names who can take down The OTC because he just established himself once more as the peak of the wrestling business, and the last time he did that, he broke records.

Result

Reigns def. Punk by pinfall to become the new World heavyweight champion.

Grade

A+

Notable Moments and Observations

It has been odd for WWE to promote both the Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter movies on this show when they are competing IPs.

Reigns got a fantastic choral rendition of this theme to the ring.

Punk got a special video package as he made his way to the stage to AFI's "Miseria Cantare" (his old Ring of Honor theme).

Punk's jacket was emblazoned with the names of late friends and colleagues.

The trash talk and mind games in this match were great, leading to a perfectly executed Punk knee into the corner while Reigns called out in agony.

Referee Eddie Orengo grew increasingly more annoyed with the antics of Punk and Reigns, with both looking like heels in their interactions.

Overall Show

Since WrestleMania moved to two nights, WWE has consistently delivered at least one quality night of action. Night 2 lived up to the billing this year.

While one less match on the card set up a tighter pace, it was not pacing that sold this night, but strong, consistent work from the performers.

Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk delivered a main event to remember after a consistently strong series of matches that also elevated the talent involved.

Oba Femi and Trick Williams left as bigger stars who should now be considered among the premier talent in WWE.

Even weaker matches, like Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Bálor, did not take away from the night, and contests like Jade Cargill vs. Rhea Ripley, which could have used more time, did not disappoint.

The night did not have major surprises, delivering more conventional results, but the show actually benefited from that emphasis.

This was about living in the moment of The Show of Shows and should make Night 1 a forgotten afterthought on a weekend when WWE finally landed the plane.

Overall Grade: A-